THE SABBATH DAY. 155 



more severity and simplicity of manners, have 

 no such examples of bad neighbours, for the 

 people of the north of England keep the 

 Sunday much in the same way. 



PoiET. — Nay, Halieus, call them not bad 

 neighbours : recollect my creed ; and respect 

 at least, what, if error, was the error of the 

 western Christian world for 1 000 years. The 

 rigid observance of the seventh day appears 

 to me rather a part of the Mosaic, than of the 

 Christian dispensation. The Protestants of 

 this country consider the Catholics bigots, 

 because they enjoin to themselves and perform 

 certain penances for their sins; and surely 

 the Catholics may see a little still more re- 

 sembling that spirit, in the interference of the 

 Scotch in innocent amusements, on a day 

 celebrated as a festive day — that on which our 

 Saviour rose to immortal life, and secured the 

 everlasting hopes of the Christian. I see no 

 reason why this day should not be celebrated 

 with singing, dancing, and triumphal proces- 

 sions, and all innocent signs of gladness and 

 joy, I see no reason why it should be given 

 up to severe and solitary prayers, or to solemn 



